Shelf For A Climate Cabinet And Set And Climate Cabinet Comprising Said Shelf

ABSTRACT

A shelf is provided which has a placement surface for objects to be treated in the climate cabinet and an underside opposite the placement surface, wherein the shelf can be mounted in a climate chamber of the climate cabinet. At least one reinforcing rib is detachably fastened to a base plate of the shelf.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a Continuation application of co-pending U.S.Ser. No. 17/142,331, filed Jan. 6, 2021, which claims priority under 35U.S.C. § 119 of German Patent Application No. 10 2020 001 162.4, filedFeb. 21, 2020, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated hereinby reference in their entireties.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a shelf for a climate cabinet and aclimate cabinet comprising at least one shelf.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In the context of the present invention, a climate cabinet is to beunderstood as a storage or processing cabinet as it is used inparticular in laboratories to treat devices, sample containers or thelike at a certain temperature or in a certain temperature range, i.e.,to store and/or process them. Examples of such climate cabinets aredrying cabinets/laboratory ovens, autoclaves and incubators, includinggas incubators, refrigerators and freezers, in particular laboratoryrefrigerators and laboratory freezers. In many of these devices,biological or microbiological samples are stored in a climate chamber ofthe climate cabinet, for example in an incubator at a predeterminedtemperature, for example 37° C., and simultaneously incubated at acontrolled humidity and, in the case of fumigation incubators, acontrolled gas atmosphere.

The climate chamber is equipped with at least one shelf for storing thedevices and/or sample containers. The shelf has a flat base platecomprising a placement surface on which the objects to be stored orprocessed in the climate chamber are placed. In order to achieve auniform temperature distribution within the climate chamber, the baseplate is often provided with through-openings and has, for example,either the shape of a perforated plate or a grid. Generally, the shelfis made of metal, such as stainless steel, chrome-plated steel orcopper. Its size corresponds approximately to the inner cross section ofthe climate chamber in the horizontal direction and is usually mountedin its edge region on rear wall mounts and/or lateral mounts which areattached to opposite side walls inside the climate chamber. The shelfcan usually be removed from the climate chamber through a front openingof the climate cabinet that can be closed by a door, for example inorder to be cleaned.

If biological or microbiological samples are stored in the climatechamber, not only the climate chamber itself but also the shelf must bedisinfected at regular intervals in order to render adherent germsharmless. Regions that are difficult to access make thoroughdisinfection more difficult. In the case of a conventional shelf, poorlyaccessible regions like this exist where the shelf is provided with areinforcing means in order to increase the load-bearing capacity of theshelf. A problem with the load-bearing capacity of the shelf occursabove all in the case of a large-area base plate—as illustrated in FIG.9 . If the base plate 10′ is loaded with many and/or heavy objects G′,it bends downward in its central region. This means that the objects inthis region no longer stand straight. If the objects are sample vesselssuch as petri dishes or microtiter plates, the inclination means thatthe filling level in the vessel is not uniform, and therefore theconditions for the samples are not exactly identical over the surface ofthe sample vessel. In extreme cases with very large sample vessels witha low filling level, a partial region of the sample vessel is no longercovered with sample medium. The uneven filling level can lead to afalsification of the results. The inclination can also lead to sampleliquid F′ running over the edge of the sample vessel when the fillinglevel is high. This not only leads to a loss of sample, but also tocontamination of the climate chamber and possibly to contamination ofother samples, with the result that all samples contained in the climatechamber have to be discarded. To prevent this, it is known tomanufacture shelves for climate cabinets from a thicker material. Thismakes it possible for the bending of the base plate to be reducedsomewhat, but at the expense of its own weight, reduced load capacity inthe climate device and higher production costs.

Another possibility, shown in FIG. 10 , provides shelves in which atleast one reinforcing element V′ is undetachably fastened, for examplewelded to the underside 101′ of the base plate opposite the placementsurface 100′ of the base plate 10′. For example, strip-shapedreinforcing elements or reinforcing elements in the form of a honeycombstructure are known. Although these are somewhat lighter in weight thanshelves which are thicker overall, they have the disadvantage of beingvery complex and expensive to manufacture. In addition, the shelvesprovided with the reinforcing elements are difficult to clean anddisinfect in the contact regions of the shelf and the reinforcingelement and in the poorly accessible space R′ between the reinforcingelement and the base plate. This entails the risk of inadvertentcontamination of the climate chamber and the objects stored therein.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One aspect of the present invention is to provide a shelf for a climatecabinet that does not have the above disadvantages, and in particular toprovide a high load-bearing capacity with at most slight bending of thebase plate while at the same time making it easy to clean and disinfectwell.

In its first aspect, the present invention therefore relates in detailto a shelf for a climate cabinet, which shelf has a base surfacecomprising a placement surface for objects to be treated in the climatechamber and an underside opposite the placement surface. The shelf canbe mounted in a climate chamber of the climate cabinet in a conventionalmanner, for example at an outer edge region. A climate cabinet, asdefined at the outset, is to be understood as a storage or processingcabinet as it is used in particular in laboratories to treat devices,sample containers or the like (hereinafter generally referred to as“objects”) at a certain temperature or in a certain temperature range,i.e., to store and/or process them. Examples of such climate cabinetsare drying cabinets/laboratory ovens, autoclaves and incubators,including gas incubators, refrigerators and freezers, in particularthose for laboratories.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, at least onereinforcing rib is detachably fastened to the base plate. The detachablefastening of the at least one reinforcing rib allows it to be removedfrom the shelf in a simple manner and to be cleaned and disinfectedseparately from it. This makes both processes much easier, since boththe shelf without reinforcing elements and the reinforcing rib are muchmore accessible for cleaning and disinfection than the reinforcedshelves from the prior art. Concealed points that are difficult toaccess or cannot be reached at all for a disinfection process can beavoided according to the present invention.

In the context of the present invention, a detachable fastening is to beunderstood as a fastening of the reinforcing rib(s) and shelf to oneanother that does not require fastening means such as screws which areseparate from the two components. Permanent connections such as weldedor soldered connections, of course, do not fall under a detachablefastening within the meaning of the present invention. The shelf andreinforcing rib(s) should be able to be separated from one anotherwithout using tools if possible. Of course, this does not preclude theuse of a tool, such as a screwdriver, to make it easier to detach thetwo components from one another. The tool is then not used to remove orloosen separate fastening means, but only to separate the reinforcingrib(s) from the shelf. The at least one reinforcing rib is preferablydetachably fastened to the shelf by means of at least one latching, plugor clamping connection. Combinations of different types of connection inone and the same fastening element or the use of different types offastening elements next to one another are also possible. It isbasically irrelevant whether, for example, there is a latchingprojection on the reinforcing rib or on the shelf. It is possible, forexample, to provide a plurality of latching projections on thereinforcing rib and complementary latching indentations or latchingopenings on the shelf. However, the reverse variant or the provision ofboth latching projections and latching indentations/openings on the twocomponents is also conceivable. In an analogous manner, plug projectionscan be provided on the reinforcing rib and/or the shelf, whichprojections engage in matching openings or indentations on thecounterpart and thus detachably fasten the reinforcing rib to the shelf.Clamping connections can, for example, make use of at least oneresilient tab or a similar spring element on one of the components thatclamps the other of the components under tension. In a possible variant,a resilient tab projecting over the base plate of the shelf can pressthe reinforcing rib against a stop, or alternatively two spring tabs canclamp a reinforcing rib between them. In a further variant, the at leastone reinforcing rib and the shelf are magnetically fastened to oneanother. For this purpose, one of the two components expedientlycontains at least one permanent magnet in order to be able to establisha magnetic connection to at least one metal counterpart arranged on theother component or to the other component which consists entirely of asuitable metal. In each case, the at least one reinforcing rib isbasically detachably fastened only to the shelf and not additionally toany other components which are separate from the shelf. The at least onereinforcing rib therefore has, in particular exclusively, fasteningmeans for being detachably fastened to the shelf. Specifically, the atleast one reinforcing rib in particular has no fastening means forfastening it to the walls surrounding the climate chamber or to mountingmeans of the climate chamber such as slide-in rails or other supportswith which the shelf can be mounted in the climate chamber. The at leastone reinforcing rib is expressly not used to mount the shelf in theclimate chamber. Rather, after it has been detachably fastened to theshelf, it can be introduced into and removed from the climate chambertogether with the shelf, to which said reinforcing rib is fastened.

Apart from changes that allow the at least one reinforcing rib to bedetachably fastened to it, the shelf can otherwise basically be designedas in the prior art. In particular, it can have the same mountingapparatuses as the known shelves, and therefore it is readily compatiblewith the mounting systems of the climate cabinets in the prior art. Forexample, sliding rails in the region of the side walls of the climatechamber, on which the shelf rests at opposite edge region portions, arecommon. The shelf is preferably made of metal, for example copper orsteel, in particular stainless steel, although other materials such astemperature-stable plastics are not fundamentally excluded. In order toachieve a uniform temperature distribution within the climate chamber,the base plate of the shelf usually has a plurality of openings or isdesigned as a grid. The same main structure of the shelf according toone embodiment of the present invention also allows the shelves from theprior art to be retrofitted by subsequently installing suitablefastening means for receiving at least one reinforcing rib to bedetachably fastened. If it is not possible or undesirable to convert anexisting shelf, climate cabinets from the prior art can also beretrofitted with a shelf, to which at least one reinforcing rib can bedetachably fastened. The shelf can be offered separately for laterretrofitting to at least one matching reinforcing rib or in combinationwith at least one reinforcing rib which can be detachably fastened tosaid shelf. The present invention accordingly also relates to a setconsisting of a shelf and one and preferably more reinforcing ribs to bedetachably fastened to said shelf and also a climate cabinet which hasat least one shelf according to one embodiment of the present invention.

The shape of the at least one reinforcing rib is fundamentally notfurther restricted as long as it can exercise its function of preventingthe base plate from bending, optionally in combination with at least onefurther reinforcing rib. In one variant, it is designed to besubstantially rod-shaped, preferably as a hollow rod and in particularas a hollow-edged rod. In an alternative variant, the reinforcing rib isformed by a profile and is designed in particular as an L-profile orU-shaped profile, of which the free ends preferably face toward the baseplate. This results in an outwardly closed appearance whilesimultaneously having high stability and low weight. The material fromwhich the at least one reinforcing rib is made is not particularlylimited as long as it has sufficient flexural rigidity and temperatureresistance for the intended application. For example, reference can bemade to suitable plastics materials and, above all, to metal, forexample copper or steel, in particular stainless steel. The productiontakes place in a basically known manner, preferably from a metal sheetby punching, laser cutting or the like, the later fastening meansexpediently being formed at the same time and being in particular in theouter edge regions. The shape and dimensions of the reinforcing rib areprimarily based on the shelf with which the reinforcing rib is to beused, with the desired load-bearing capacity of the base plate alsohaving to be taken into account. The length of the reinforcing rib isexpediently large enough to sufficiently prevent the base plate of theshelf from bending. A reinforcing rib therefore expediently runs betweenopposite edge region portions of the shelf such that the base plate isstabilized by the reinforcing rib over its entire width. The oppositeedge region portions can be those that are oriented toward the frontopening and the rear wall of the climate chamber when a shelf isinserted into the climate chamber of a climate cabinet, or those onwhich the shelf is mounted in the region of the lateral walls of theclimate chamber.

The number of reinforcing ribs used depends primarily on the size of theshelf. The larger the area of the base plate, the more reinforcing ribsshould be used to reliably prevent the base plate from bending under theweight of the objects to be stored in the climate chamber. The numberand weight of the objects also have an influence on the number ofreinforcing ribs required. The shelf is expediently designed in such away that the number of reinforcing ribs can be selected by the user in avariable manner and, for example, depending on the expected load of thebase plate. In addition, the user can choose where a reinforcing rib isfastened. In this way, for example, it is also possible to adapt tolocally different loads on the base plate, for example by selecting agreater number of reinforcing ribs in the region of the higher load thanin a region with a smaller load. Accordingly, a plurality of fasteningmeans is provided on the shelf, to which a plurality of reinforcing ribscan be, but do not have to be, detachably fastened. The number offastening options, to which a reinforcing rib can be fastened and whichare provided by the fastening means, can therefore be greater than thenumber of actually fastened reinforcing ribs. In some embodiments, theshelf can therefore also have fastening means to which no reinforcingrib is fastened. For example, 2 to 8, preferably 2 to 6, and inparticular 3 to 5, pairs of fastening means can be present such that,depending on the requirements, between 2 and 8 (or 2 to 6 or 3 to 5)reinforcing ribs can be used. The reinforcing ribs preferably extendsubstantially in parallel with one another, their longitudinal axesexpediently not deviating from one another by more than ±2°. Thereinforcing ribs can also be designed in such a way that they canintersect one another (for example by providing notches along thereinforcing ribs at which two reinforcing ribs can be plugged to oneanother so as to intersect), or a plurality of reinforcing ribs can bedesigned as a grid from the start, which grid can be detachably fastenedto the shelf as a whole.

In order to be able to detachably fasten a reinforcing rib to the shelf,said rib expediently has fastening means which are complementary to thefastening means provided on the shelf. The various options for latching,plugging, clamping or magnetic connections have already been statedabove. On the shelf, the fastening means are preferably located in or onits outer edge region. In many cases, shelves are made from a metalsheet which is bent over in the region of the outer edges of the baseplate in order to produce an edge region. Said edge region protrudes,for example, perpendicularly from the top and/or bottom of the baseplate opposite the footprint. The region which adjoins one of thelateral edges of the base plate is referred to as the edge regionportion. For a usually rectangular base plate, there are thus a total offour edge region portions which make up the edge region of the shelf.The edge region portions can either all be arranged on the same side ofthe base plate or extend away from the base plate on different sides.Optionally, the free end regions of each of the edge region portions arefolded again, for example folded inward under the underside of the baseplate.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the fasteningmeans of the shelf may be provided as far as possible on the edge of thebase plate and in particular in or on the edge region of the shelf. Forthis purpose, material from the base plate and/or the edge region canadvantageously be used to form the fastening means, for example a tabprotruding over the base plate or a latching projection. Alternatively,at least one indentation or recess can be provided in the edge region,in which recess or depression a complementary plug or latchingprojection of a reinforcing rib can engage. The arrangement of thefastening means in or on the edge region also has the advantage thatlittle or no space on the placement surface is used by the fasteningmeans. For this reason, the fastening means may be arranged in such away that the at least one reinforcing rib comes to lie on the undersideof the base plate. The fastening means required for fastening thereinforcing rib are expediently located in the region of their oppositeends, which means that the reinforcing rib extends over substantiallythe whole width of the base plate practically over its entire lengthwhen the complementary fastening means are in the edge region of theshelf. Bending is particularly effectively prevented in this way. In oneembodiment, the reinforcing rib abuts a portion of the base plate withat least 80%, preferably at least 90%, in particular at least 95% of itslength, which portion makes up at least 80%, preferably at least 90% andin particular at least 95% of the width of the base plate.

In a further development of the present invention, the at least onereinforcing rib has a height profile in its direction of longitudinalextension on its side facing the base plate. The height profile isexpediently designed such that the height of the reinforcing rib isgreatest in a central region and may decrease continuously toward thesides. If the reinforcing rib is fastened to the shelf in such a waythat the side provided with the height profile abuts the underside ofthe base plate, the base plate is arched upward in a central regiontoward the placement surface side. The placement surface is thus almostpretensioned in its particularly easily deformable central region. Ifobjects are placed on the placement surface in this region, the baseplate bends downward under its mass. If the height profile is correctlydesigned depending on the weight load to be expected on the base plate,the pretensioning ensures that the base plate forms a flat surface inthe loaded state and that the objects on it thus stand straight. Thisconfiguration is particularly suitable if relatively heavy objects areto be stored on the base plate.

In a further development of the variant described above, the reinforcingrib can have different height profiles on different sides which aredesigned for different weight loads. In one variant, for example, aheight profile is present on one side of the reinforcing rib, while theopposite side is flat. In all of the cases described, the reinforcingrib is designed so that it can be detachably fastened to the shelf indifferent orientations. Depending on the intended load of the shelf, thereinforcing rib is rotated such that the desired height profile facestoward the base plate, and is fastened to the shelf in this orientation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be explained in more detail below withreference to drawings. The drawings are merely illustrative of preferredembodiments of the present invention, without the present inventionbeing limited to these examples. The figures in the drawings are purelyschematic. Identical parts are denoted by the same reference symbols,although not all parts are provided with reference symbols in allfigures. In the drawings, in detail:

FIG. 1 shows a climate cabinet according to the present invention inperspective view;

FIG. 2 shows an example of a shelf or set according to the presentinvention in perspective view with a view of its underside;

FIG. 3 (a) shows a perspective detail view of one end of a reinforcingrib;

FIG. 3 (b) shows a fastening tab matching the reinforcing rib accordingto FIG. 3 (a) in plan view;

FIG. 4 (a) shows a perspective detailed view of one end of a furtherreinforcing rib;

FIG. 4 (b) shows a fastening tab matching the reinforcing rib accordingto FIG. 4 (a) in plan view;

FIG. 4 (c) shows a further fastening tab matching the reinforcing ribaccording to FIG. 4 (a) in plan view;

FIG. 5 shows a sectional view along the line X-X in FIG. 2 ;

FIG. 6 shows a further example of a reinforcing rib in side view;

FIG. 7 shows an embodiment of a set according to the present inventioncomprising a shelf and reinforcing rib in partial perspective view;

FIG. 8 shows two reinforcing ribs, which can be arranged so as tointersect, in partial view;

FIG. 9 shows a shelf from the prior art having microtiter platesarranged thereon in partial sectional view; and

FIG. 10 shows a partial sectional view of a shelf from the prior arthaving a reinforcing element.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 shows a climate cabinet 2 according to one embodiment of thepresent invention, for example an incubator. The climate cabinet has aclimate chamber 20 which is accessible via a front-side opening 21 andis enclosed on the other sides by a housing 22. The opening 21 can beclosed by an inner door 23, which usually consists of glass, and anouter door 24. The structure of the climate chamber basicallycorresponds to the climate chambers from the prior art, and therefore itdoes not have to be described further here. On the lateral wallssurrounding the climate chamber 20, mounts (not shown here) are alsoprovided in a manner which is also basically known and can carry aplurality of shelves 1. The shelves have a base plate 10, on theplacement surface 100 of which objects G (laboratory equipment such asin particular petri dishes or microtiter plates are shown in this case)can be stored under predetermined temperature conditions. In the case ofthe incubator shown, a desired humidity and, optionally, a predeterminedgas atmosphere can also be set in the climate chamber.

For cleaning, the shelves 1 can be removed from the climate chamber 20through the opening 21. An example of a shelf 1 according to oneembodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. 2 . The figureshows the view of the underside 101 of the base plate 10 opposite theplacement surface 100. The base plate 10 is provided with a large numberof through-openings 13 (here square) which facilitate the setting of auniform atmosphere in the climate chamber 20. The shelf 1 is made of ametal sheet, for example a stainless steel sheet, which has been foldedin its edge region 11 in order to produce edge region portions 11-1,11-2, 11-3 and 11-4 on the four sides of the base plate 10, whichportions are substantially perpendicular to the plane of the base plate10. The edge portion 11-1 is the portion which is oriented toward thefront opening 21 when the base plate 1 is arranged in the climatechamber 20. It is folded toward the underside 101 of the base plate 10,while the remaining edge portions 11-2 to 11-4 project toward theplacement surface 100. The separating cuts between the adjacent edgeportions, the through-openings 13 and further cuts in the metal sheetmay be made in the metal sheet in a common work step, for example bypunching or laser cutting.

In the example shown, further cuts are made in the edge region portion11-1 in order to produce three pairs of slot-shaped recesses extendingperpendicularly to the plane of the base plate 10 in the finished baseplate, which recesses represent fastening means 12-1 to which areinforcing rib 3 can be detachably fastened. Corresponding fasteningmeans 12-2, opposite the fastening means 12-1, in the form ofsubstantially rectangular mounting tabs 14 are provided on the oppositeedge region 11-2. To produce said tabs, the contour of the mounting tab14 is cut out of the base plate on three sides starting from the lateraledge of the base plate 10 and the mounting tab 14 is bent out of thebase plate 10 such that it protrudes perpendicularly in extension of theedge region portion 11-2 over said base plate and an opening 15 remainsin the base plate. A pair of slot-shaped recesses, which correspond tothe fastening means 12-1 and extend perpendicularly to the plane of thebase plate 10 after the mounting tab 14 has been bent out, waspreviously made in the surface of the retaining tab, expediently in thesame work step as making the further cuts.

FIGS. 3 (a) and (b) clarify the design of the fastening means 30-2 onthe reinforcing rib 3 and the fastening means 12-2. What is describedbelow applies analogously to the opposite pair of fastening means 12-1and 30-1, since the fastening means 30-1 and 30-2 are formed identicallyat the two ends of the reinforcing rib 3 and the shelf fastening means12-1 and 12-2 only differ from one another in that in the former case,the slot-shaped recesses are in the continuous edge region portion 11-1and not, as in the latter case, on separate mounting tabs. FIG. 3 (a)shows the reinforcing rib 3 from FIG. 2 in the region of one of itsends. As can be seen, the reinforcing rib is designed as a substantiallyU-shaped profile. The free legs 31 are preferably arranged in such a waythat they face toward the base plate 10 when the reinforcing rib 3 isfastened to the shelf. The cavity 32 is then enclosed by the reinforcingrib 3 and the base plate 10. For fastening, the reinforcing rib 3 has atits ends in the direction of its direction of longitudinal extension,protruding strip-shaped projections 33 on the two legs 31 which form thefastening means 30-1 and, at the opposite end, the fastening means 30-2of the reinforcing rib. The projections 33 are dimensioned such thatthey can be plugged into the slot-shaped recesses of the fastening means12-1 and 12-2 of the shelf. The slot-shaped recesses are only so largethat the projections 33 can be received in them and the attachedreinforcing rib can only move a little or not at all with respect to theshelf. FIG. 3 (b) shows a shelf fastening means 12-2, in whichslot-shaped recesses 140 have been made in a mounting tab 14. Asdescribed above, the arrangement of the slot-shaped recesses of thefastening means 12-1 in the edge region portion 11-1 correspondsthereto.

In order to fasten a reinforcing rib 3 to the shelf 1, the end orientedtoward the edge region portion 11-1 is first fastened by the projections33 being inserted into the slot-shaped recesses of a fastening means12-1. The other end of the reinforcing rib 3 is then moved toward thebase plate 10 and the mounting tab 14 opposite the selected fasteningmeans 12-1 until the projections 33 come into contact with the mountingtab 14. When the reinforcing rib 3 is pressed further toward the baseplate 10, the projections 33 push the free end of the mounting tab 14outward, since the mounting tab 14 is resilient, as indicated by thearrow in FIG. 3 (b). The projections 13 slide into the slot-likerecesses 140 and the mounting tab 14 springs back into its initialposition such that the reinforcing rib 3 is securely mounted on theshelf 1. In order to release the reinforcing rib 3 from its fastening,the mounting tab can be moved slightly outward away from the projections33 such that the end of the reinforcing rib oriented toward the edgeportion 11-2 can be detached from the mounting tab 14. The other end isthen removed from the fastening means 12-1.

In the example in FIG. 2 , fastening means for fastening up to threereinforcing ribs 3 are provided. The number of reinforcing ribs that areactually used can be decided by the user as desired, taking into accountthe intended load of the placement surface 100 of the shelf 1. Inaddition, the user can freely choose at which of the three intendedfastening locations the at least one reinforcing rib is fastened.Plainly, the greater the number of reinforcing ribs selected to be used,the less the base plate 10 bends. The arrangement shown in FIG. 2 is notonly an example of a shelf 1 according to one embodiment of the presentinvention, but also of a set according to the present inventioncomprised of a shelf and at least one reinforcing rib. However, a setwill expediently include at least as many reinforcing ribs as there arefastening options on the shelf—in the example shown, at least threereinforcing ribs. These will preferably be three reinforcing ribs of thesame type since this simplifies handling for the user. In principle,however, it is also conceivable to put together a set having differenttypes of reinforcing ribs. The reinforcing ribs can, for example, havedifferent flexural strengths such that an even more flexible adaptationto the intended load of the base plate is possible through a suitableselection of the reinforcing ribs.

FIG. 4 shows alternative options for detachably fastening thereinforcing rib to the shelf. As in FIG. 3 (a), the reinforcing rib 3shown in FIG. 4 (a) is designed as a substantially U-shaped profilewhich is aligned with the free ends of the legs 31 toward the base plate10 of the shelf 1. At the two ends of the reinforcing rib 3, at the freeends of the legs 31, a rectangular tab 34 is bent perpendicularly to theplane of the legs in front of the cavity 32. This results in a lockingbolt having an overlying window-like opening 35 at the end of the cavity32. The window-like opening 35 is used to receive a latching projectionof the shelf. Examples of suitable latching projections are shown inFIGS. 4 (b) and (c). Both figures show the latching projections formedon a mounting tab 14. Corresponding latching projections can also belocated in the region of the opposite edge portion 11-1. Alternatively,a different type of fastening such as the plug connection shown in FIG.2 can also be used in the edge region 11-1. In FIG. 4 (b), the latchingprojection is designed as a dome 141 which is shaped out of the plane ofthe mounting tab 14. In FIG. 4 (c), the latching projection is designedas a latching lug 142. When the reinforcing rib 3 is put on, the bentrectangular tabs 34 slide on the mounting tab 14 and the latchingprojection 141 or 142 and bend the mounting tab 14 outward until thetabs 34 are pushed all the way past the latching projection. Themounting tab then springs back into its initial position, as illustratedby the double arrows, and the reinforcing rib 3 latches in place on themounting tab 14. In order to detach the reinforcing rib 3 from the shelf1, the mounting tab 14 can be moved slightly outward such that the tabs34 can slide past on the latching projection.

FIG. 5 shows a cross section along the line X-X in FIG. 2 in the regionthrough one of the legs 31 and projections 33 of the reinforcing rib 3located at the ends of said legs. As can be seen, the reinforcing rib 3extends with its length L over the entire width B of the base plate 10.The free edge of the leg 31 abuts the underside 101 of the base plate10. The projections 33 are plugged into the slots of the fastening means12-1 in the edge region portion 11-1 or 12-2 of a mounting tab 14 on theedge region portion 11-2 such that the reinforcing rib is mounted on thebase plate 10 by means of the plug connections. If the placement surface100 of the base plate 10 is loaded with objects, the reinforcing rib 3reinforces the base plate 10 and reduces its bending under the weight ofthe objects.

If the objects with which the base plate 10 is to be loaded areparticularly heavy, the use of a reinforcing rib 3 as shown in FIG. 6 isrecommended. This reinforcing rib is similar in its main structure tothat of FIGS. 2, 3 (a) and 5 and also has a U-shaped profile. While theside S2 of the reinforcing rib facing away from the base plate extendsflatly, a height profile is formed in the side S1 facing the base plate10. The height H (the distance between the sides S1 and S2) increasescontinuously from the ends of the reinforcing rib 3 supporting theprojections 33 toward a central region M and is greatest in the centerof the reinforcing rib 3. The height profile can be producedparticularly easily if the side S1 is the one on which the free ends ofthe legs 31 of the U-shaped profile are located. In this case, theheight profile can be incorporated when the main shape is cut free froma metal sheet. If the reinforcing rib 3 is fastened to the shelf in themanner described the height profile on the side S1 causes the base plate10 to arch slightly, the placement surface 100 in the central region(the most easily deformable region of the base plate) being curvedupward the furthest. If objects are placed on the placement surface, thebase plate 10 bends back again under the weight of the objects. Theheight profile of the reinforcing rib is expediently predetermined,taking into account the weight of the objects, such that the base plateis then substantially flat again after the intended loading with theobjects.

FIG. 7 shows a further option for designing the fastening means 12-1,12-2 and 30-1, 30-2 for detachably fastening a reinforcing rib 3 to theshelf 1. The reinforcing rib 3 is this time designed in the form of asquare tube, at the ends of which cuboid projections 36 are arranged asfastening means 30-1 and 30-2. In addition, two permanent magnets 37 areattached as further fastening means 30 to one side of the square tube.In opposite edge regions 11 of the base plate 10, mounting tabs 14 arearranged so as to project beyond the bottom 101. A rectangular opening143, which can receive one of the cuboid projections of the reinforcingrib 3, is provided in each of the mounting tabs 14. When inserting andremoving the reinforcing rib, the mounting tabs 14 can spring openoutwardly, as already described above. The reinforcing rib is rotatedsuch that the permanent magnets 37 face toward the base plate 10 whenmounted. If said base plate is made of a suitable metal such as steel, amagnetic mount is formed between the base plate and the reinforcing rib.In principle, attaching the reinforcing rib to the base plate 10exclusively magnetically is conceivable, albeit less preferred. Themounting tabs 14 could therefore also be completely omitted. Anotheroption is to use lateral struts 38 instead of the mounting tabs, betweenwhich struts the cuboid projections 36 can be pushed in order tolaterally limit the projections and to position the reinforcing rib(shown in dashed lines next to the left tab).

FIG. 8 illustrates one option for how a plurality of reinforcing ribscan be used not only in parallel with one another but also in anintersecting manner to stabilize the base plate. For this purpose, thereinforcing ribs have a notch or groove 38 on one of their sides. In theexample shown, the grooves 38 are designed in the shape of a cuboid suchthat the reinforcing ribs in the region of the grooves can be plugged soas to intersect one another. The surfaces S1 and S2 of both reinforcingribs are flush when plugged together. A plurality of grooves can also bemade at suitable intervals over the length of a reinforcing rib if aplurality of reinforcing ribs are intended to intersect one another. Inthis way, a grid of reinforcing ribs is obtained that ensuresparticularly good stabilization of the base plate and is particularlysuitable for very large base plates. The reinforcing ribs are fastenedto the shelf in the manner described above, and combinations ofdifferent fastening means can also be used in this and in all othercases.

While the present invention has been illustrated by description ofvarious embodiments and while those embodiments have been described inconsiderable detail, it is not the intention of Applicant to restrict orin any way limit the scope of the appended claims to such details.Additional advantages and modifications will readily appear to thoseskilled in the art. The invention in its broader aspects is thereforenot limited to the specific details and illustrative examples shown anddescribed. Accordingly, departures may be made from such details withoutdeparting from the spirit or scope of Applicant's invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A climate cabinet, comprising: at least oneshelf, the at least one shelf comprising: a base plate having aplacement surface for objects to be treated in a climate chamber and anunderside opposite the placement surface, wherein the at least one shelfis configured to be mounted in the climate chamber of the climatecabinet; and at least one reinforcing rib which is configured to bedetachably fastened to the base plate, wherein the at least onereinforcing rib has a height profile in a direction of longitudinalextension of the at least one reinforcing rib on a side of the at leastone reinforcing rib facing the base plate, and wherein the height isgreatest in a central region and decreases continuously toward thesides, wherein the at least one reinforcing rib extends between oppositeedge region portions of the at least one shelf located at oppositelateral edges of the base plate, and wherein the at least onereinforcing rib is clamped, latched, plugged and/or magneticallyfastened to the base plate.